More Highlights from my Trip

My main purpose in going to Washington was of course to attend our sister retreat. But since that was technically just 24 hours, I also had a few days to hang out with my parents, my sister Gayle's family, and on Sunday to attend my old church. I also read an entire book while I was there!

On the way I had a very long layover in the city where my Tapestry of Grace secret sister from two years ago lives, and we finally got to meet face to face! Secret sisters is a ministry of the TOG yahoo group I am a part of, and each Christmas those participating receive the name of another participant to pray for regularly and to send an ornament to. The ornament exchange is a very fun and very blessed ministry, and each year we await with great anticipation the "received" email from our very own secret sister when it is finally revealed who has been praying for her the last two months! Two years ago I was given Teacher/Mom (that's her online name and you may see her comment sometimes on my blog!) to pray for and to send an ornament to. It was a blessing for me to pray for her family, and since then we have become good online friends. It was such a joy to finally meet face to face! She is such a lovely person and the 3 hours just flew by as we talked and shared.


Another highlight was getting to bake cookies with my nephew T. I was missing my own children so much, and kindof missing being in the kitchen too! (weird, I know) So it was really fun that he agreed to let me bake with him. :-) He is my sister Gayle's youngest son.


Getting to spend an entire day with just my parents was also a real highlight! I can't remember the last time that has happened. They are such influential people in my life, and I soaked up every minute being with them. Here we are in a tulip display garden - more on that in another post!


These two dear elderly couples are both very special to me. They have prayed for me for years, and this first couple has literally known me my entire life (he was my first pastor and dedicated me to the Lord as an infant). I won't know until heaven how much of God's working in my life is because of their prayers. How blessed I am to have them in my life, especially since my own grandparents, who prayed faithfully for me every day, have passed away. I look forward to seeing them each time I am home, and always wonder if it is the last time I will see them on this earth, which is another reason that leaving is always hard. I am so thankful for the very real hope of heaven.



Thank you, Lord, for such a soul enriching time!